Press Releases
Attorney General’s Decision Would Deprive Asylum Seekers of Bond Hearings
In a decision today, Attorney General William Barr ruled that individuals with valid protection asylum claims who entered between ports of entry no longer are eligible for release on bond by an immigration judge. The decision could result in the unnecessary detention of thousands more individuals each year, despite the enormous financial and human costs. With the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project and the ACLU, the American Immigration Council intends to challenge the new decision. Read More
Morgan Lewis Pro Bono Team to Be Honored for Pro Bono Representation of Immigrants in Detention
The American Immigration Council will recognize the law firm of Morgan Lewis with its Stephen K. Fischel Distinguished Public Service Award for Pro Bono Representation of Immigrants in Detention. The award recognizes individuals or organizations who exhibit an outstanding commitment and dedication to America’s heritage as a nation of immigrants and to the struggle for fair and humane immigration policies in the United States. Read More
Immigration Lawyer Ava Benach to Be Honored for Providing Mentorship in Asylum Cases and Representation of Transgender Immigrant Women
The American Immigration Council will honor immigration lawyer Ava Benach with its Stephen K. Fischel Distinguished Public Service Award for providing mentorship in asylum cases and representation of transgender immigrant women. The Award recognizes individuals or organizations who exhibit an outstanding commitment and dedication to America’s heritage as a nation of immigrants and to the struggle for fair and humane immigration policies in the United States. Read More
Federal Court Orders Timely Bond Hearings and Legal Protections for Asylum Seekers
In a groundbreaking decision, a federal judge in Seattle dealt a blow to the government’s campaign to deter and obstruct asylum seekers applying for protection in the United States. Judge Marsha Pechman ordered the government to provide certain individuals with bona fide asylum claims either a bond hearing before an immigration judge within seven days of their request or to release them from detention. Read More
Complaint Brings Injustice in El Paso Immigration Court to Light
The complaint demands an immediate investigation into systemic due process concerns at the El Paso Service Processing Center (SPC) immigration court in El Paso, Texas. Read More
Lexington Herald-Leader Opinion: I’m a Dreamer fighting for civil rights – and my place in America
The first time I boarded a U.S. domestic flight, I was 17 years old. I was traveling to Denver to present at a National Collegiate Honors Council (NCHC) conference, and I beamed as I showed my ID and was waved through security. As a Dreamer, brought here from… Read More
New American Economy Endorses the Dream and Promise Act of 2019
NEW YORK – Today, Representative Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA), Representative Nydia Velázquez (D-NY), and Representative Yvette Clarke (D-NY) introduced the Dream and Promise Act of 2019 (H.R. 6), which provides permanent legal protections and a path to citizenship for Dreamers and Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders. New American Economy issued the following… Read More
Federal Court Certifies Two Nationwide Classes Challenging Delays in Detained Asylum Seekers’ Cases
A federal district court in Seattle, Washington has certified two nationwide classes of detained asylum seekers who are challenging the government’s delays in providing asylum interviews and bond hearings. Read More
New Data Shows Houston’s Immigrants Generate More than a Quarter of the Area’s GDP
HOUSTON, TX – New data from New American Economy (NAE) shows that immigrants are responsible for more than 26 percent of the Houston metro area’s GDP. The report, which analyzes Census data from 2016, looks at immigrant contributions to Houston’s workforce, tax base, and major industries. The report was… Read More
Lawsuit Demands Government to Disclose Information About Unjust Deportations
The Trump administration’s immigration enforcement policies have increased immigrants’ vulnerability to swift deportation, making the ability to access safeguard more important than ever. The American Immigration Council and the Kathryn O. Greenberg Immigration Justice Clinic at Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law filed a lawsuit to disclose critical information about how the Board of Immigration Appeals interprets legal safeguards that would allow these individuals to seek reopening or reconsidering of their immigration cases, and prevent the irreparable harms that can result from deportation. Read More
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